The Lagos State Government has debunked rumors of an impending ban on sachet water in the state, clarifying that it remains committed to tackling plastic waste management through sustainable initiatives.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this clarification on Sunday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, in response to a viral video showing individuals destroying sachet water packs in factories and buses. The footage had sparked public speculation about a government-enforced ban.
In his statement, Wahab dismissed claims that the individuals in the video were state enforcement officers. “I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,” he wrote.
According to Wahab, an investigation revealed that the individuals were officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). “Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations, in the interest of public health and safety,” he explained.
The commissioner emphasized that the state government has no plans to ban sachet water. Instead, it is focused on effective plastic waste management. “Our focus remains on sustainable and inclusive plastic waste management strategies. As part of our commitment, we are implementing mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of PET, sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 microns,” Wahab added.
To support this initiative, the government, in partnership with Producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), is establishing a Plastic Waste Management Fund. This fund will be financed by contributions from producers and importers and jointly managed to address the growing challenge of plastic waste in Lagos State.
He also reassured the public about the state’s ongoing efforts to address environmental issues. “The ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, set to take effect in January 2025, will not include sachet water and PET bottles,” Wahab clarified, urging residents to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise.
